The United States on Monday called for a full, formal and transparent investigation into the violence against religious minority community in Rakhine state of Myanmar. ‘We want full, formal and transparent investigation into what is going on in Rakhine state since October 9,’ US ambassador Marcia Bernicat said at a function styled DCAB Talk organised by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh in Dhaka. The United States condemned the violence in Rakhine state and was putting pressure on the Burmese government for ensuring access to the people there, she said, adding that no one had access to the area. On a question on lifting of the US sanctions on Myanmar, the ambassador said that in response to improvement of situation in Burma after the general elections, the sanction was lifted on October 7, two days before the attacks on Rihingyas in Rakhine state by Myanmar military. The US sanctions prevented American firms and foreign investors using US financial services from having dealings with over 100 influential businesspersons tied to former Myanmar military regimes. Bernicat said that the US government continued to monitor the situation in Myanmar very closely. The US ambassador appreciated Bangladesh’s response to the recent attacks on Rohingyas as well as for providing shelter and humanitarian supports to Rohingya refugees. Referring to the Bangladesh government’s call for international responses to resolve the Rohingya crises in Rakhine state where the core problems originated, Bernicat said, ‘We absolutely agree with that position. We are looking to work with likeminded nations.’ Several thousand Rohingya Muslims left their home in Rakhine state and entered Bangladesh amid latest clean-up campaign by the Myanmar military since October 9. Several thousand were still waiting in mangrove forest and embankment of the river Naff as the religious minority group continued fleeing military crackdown. Replying to a question on the demand raised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party on reconstitution of the Election Commission, Bernicat said that the United States and a number of other countries advocated constitution of an independent, strong and non-partisan Election Commission for holding an inclusive, participatory and credible election. The US ambassador stressed the need for ensuring freedom of the press essential for strong democracy. She also urged all to support the 11 foreign female envoys’ move against gender-based violence. On a question on barriers to Bangladesh’s export to the US market, Bernicat said that Bangladesh should not remain dependent on a few export markets and the export basket should be diversified incorporating new products including software and information technology services. About security of diplomats in Dhaka, she said that all the quarters ‘have to remain vigilant’ although the government took many measures in response to requests from the diplomatic community for enhancing security. ‘We’ll ask for everything we need as we have to respond to security threats,’ she said, adding that further attacks by extremists were possible anywhere. DCAB president Angur Nahar Monty and general secretary Pantho Rahman also spoke at the function. – See more at: http://www.newagebd.net/article/3735/us-wants-full-transparent-probe-bernicat#sthash.7aIqieLo.dpuf
Source: New Age
